Innergie mCube Pro universal adapter

Innergie mCube Pro

Useful charging device; novel design can be split in two; fairly compact and lightweight; more environmentally friendly than some options; 3 year limited warranty.

Cons

Some devices, brands and models not covered, notably Apple MacBooks; small fiddly slide switch isn’t the easiest to use; another device you need to remember to take out with you; array of extras can easily be mislaid.

The mCube Pro from power accessory specialists Innergie is billed as the world’s smallest universal adapter, covering a varied range of devices you might need to take on your travels. Innergie provides a slightly cumbersome way of seeing if your phone, laptop, tablet, camera and the like is compatible on their website, clicking first on device, brand and then model.

It appears to be a growing list and one that includes big name brands such as Apple, Samsung, Sony, Canon, BlackBerry, Dell, Toshiba and many more. The makers note that the charger is compatible with many laptops up to 17in screen size.

It is, however, short of comprehensive; the mCube Pro is currently compatible with Apple’s iPhone and iPod but not MacBook or iPad. It’s a similar story with eBook readers, with Toshiba and Barnes and Noble readers supported but not those from Amazon or Kobo.

The mCube Pro comes with what the company insists is a unique detachable auto/air module, splitting the device into two, the larger AC/DC adaptor for charging via the mains, the smaller and more portable for charging devices directly. On it’s own the dinky DC-DC convertor can be used with low-voltage DC sources such as a car cigarette lighter or airplane-compatible power supplies.

A built-in, fiddly slide switch enables users to switch between various volts output, while standard USB devices are supported. The charger features multiple built-in overload protections to prevent harming your device, while Innergie stress the green credentials, insisting their adapters minimise power loss by achieving an overall efficiency of 90 percent or above.

Although compact and detachable, as a whole it’s still rather bulky by today’s tech standards at 128.8 x 70 x 23.6 mm and weighs in at 199 grams. The mCube Pro comes with a range of accessories, including some you will need, the power lead for instance, and some you can safely leave at home, adaptors for devices you don’t own.

Those extras come in a useful carry case, which is just as well, as they could easily be mislaid or lost. The package includes ten tips to match various non-Apple laptops, and Innergie promise free compatible tips for those that aren’t covered.

Macworld Australia‘s buying advice

The mCube Pro from Innergie is a useful accessory to have on your travels, particularly for gadget hungry commuters who are likely to run short of power across a busy day. As a replacement power supply for an array of devices it’s also a good bet as long as don’t use a MacBook as your main computer.